MP-448 Skyph

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MP-448 Skyph
Type Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin  Russia
Production history
Designer D. A. Bogdanov
Designed 1990s - 1998
Manufacturer Izhevsk Mechanical Plant
Specifications
Weight 650 g (1.43 lb) (МР-448, МР-448C)
590 g (21 oz) (Skyph-mini)
Length 162 mm (6.4 in)
Barrel length 94 mm (3.7 in)
Width 32 mm (1.3 in)
Height 132 mm (5.2 in) (МР-448, МР-448C)
107 mm (4.2 in) (Skyph-mini)
Cartridge 9x18mm Makarov
Feed system 12-round detachable box magazine (МР-448)
10-round detachable box magazine (МР-448C)
8-round detachable box magazine (МР-448С Skyph-mini)
Sights Fixed; front blade and rear notch

The MP-448 Skyph (MP[1]-448 Скиф) - a Russian pistol that was developed during late 1990s by engineer-constructor and weapon designer Dmitry Bogdanov. It was initially offered by Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (IzhMech) for export sales and for private security companies as an enhanced version of the famous Makarov PM pistol (which is also manufactured by IzhMech).

Overview

The MP-448 is slightly smaller and 200 g lighter than the Makarov PM thanks to a polymer frame. Like the Makarov, it is chambered for the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge which is similar in performance to the .380 Auto, and uses a double-stacked 12-round magazine like the PMM variant. Because of the 9x18mm's lower pressure (20,000 psi vs the 9mm Luger's 35,000 psi), the MP-448 works by blowback operation.

Cancellation

There are no takers for this pistol because there are only marginal improvements in ergonomics and accuracy over the Makarov PM and the Skyph also costs more. Because of this, countries that still use the 9x18mm cartridge are sticking with the Makarov pistol. Russian military and paramilitary forces have switched to the more powerful 9x19mm Parabellum and as such are purchasing larger, more powerful and higher capacity pistols such as the MP-443 Grach and MP-446 Viking (also manufactured by Izhmash).

Variants

  • МР-448 Skyph (МР-448 Скиф) - model chambered for 9x18mm Makarov.[2]
  • МР-448S Skyph (МР-448С[3] Скиф) - variant chambered for 9x17 mm Short. It was designed as a sidearm for private security.[2]
  • МР-448S Skyph-mini (МР-448С Скиф-мини) - compact version chambered for 9x17 mm Short[2]

Users

  •  Kazakhstan - since 2003[4] used as service pistol in private security companies[5]

References

  1. ↑ MP = Mechanical Plant
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Виктор Шунков. Боевое и служебное оружие России. М., ООО "Издательство ЭКСМО", 2012. стр.73-75
  3. ↑ "С" means "служебный"
  4. ↑ «Регистрационный номер: 3.1/018 Пистолет служебный самозарядный МР 448 СКИФ»
    Постановление Правительства Республики Казахстан № 1367 от 25 декабря 2002 года "Об утверждении Государственного кадастра гражданского и служебного оружия и патронов к нему"
  5. ↑ "Регистрационный номер: 3.1/018 Пистолет служебный самозарядный МР 448 СКИФ"
    Постановление Правительства Республики Казахстан № 1305 от 28 декабря 2006 года "Об утверждении Государственного кадастра гражданского и служебного оружия и патронов к нему на 2007 год"

Sources

  • Братья "Скифы" // журнал "Мастер-ружьё", № 63/64, июнь-июль 2002. стр.58-60

External links

See also

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